A Guatemalan immigrant, released into the U.S. nearly a decade ago, now faces serious charges of child sexual assault in Rhode Island, highlighting ongoing concerns over immigration and public safety.
A 25-year-old illegal alien from Guatemala, who was released into the United States nearly a decade ago, now faces accusations of sexually assaulting a child in Rhode Island.
The individual first entered the U.S. in August 2016 at the U.S.-Mexico border during the Obama administration. After being apprehended near Antelope Wells, New Mexico, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued him a Notice to Appear (NTA) before a federal immigration judge at a later date.
In February 2022, the Providence Police Department arrested him on charges of first-degree child molestation sexual assault. Two years later, in July of this year, the Superior Court in Providence issued a warrant for his arrest, prompting him to turn himself in to the police. He was granted bail the same day.
On July 22, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took the accused into custody, where he remains pending the outcome of the child sex assault case and subsequent deportation proceedings.
"This Guatemalan noncitizen will have his day in court, but he stands accused of some serious and disturbing crimes," said ICE official Todd Lyons in a statement. "We owe it to the children of our communities to apprehend and remove noncitizen sex offenders from their neighborhoods."
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